CAR-T cell therapy is one of the most promising innovations in cancer treatment. While CAR-T therapy has already transformed the treatment of blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, recent advances in China have brought this technology closer to patients with stomach cancer (gastric cancer).
China has become a global leader in developing CAR-T therapies for solid tumors. The world’s first approved CAR-T therapy for gastric cancer targets Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a protein highly expressed in many gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients whose disease has progressed despite surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
International patients can now access advanced CAR-T treatment programs in China through specialized cancer centers with extensive experience in cellular therapy.
Why new treatment options are needed for stomach cancer
Stomach cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage when curative surgery is no longer possible.
Current treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
Although these treatments can improve survival, many patients eventually experience disease progression or recurrence. Advanced gastric cancer often develops resistance to conventional treatments, leaving patients with limited therapeutic options.
Challenges of current therapies include:
- Low long-term survival rates in advanced disease
- Tumor resistance to chemotherapy
- Limited effectiveness of targeted therapies in some patients
- Side effects that affect quality of life
- Few treatment options after multiple lines of therapy fail
CAR-T therapy was developed to address some of these limitations by harnessing the patient’s own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
How CAR-T therapy works
CAR-T therapy uses genetically modified T cells, a type of immune cell responsible for fighting infections and abnormal cells.
The treatment process typically involves:
- Collection of the patient’s T cells through leukapheresis
- Genetic engineering of the cells in a laboratory to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)
- Expansion of the modified cells into millions of cancer-fighting cells
- Administration of conditioning chemotherapy
- Infusion of CAR-T cells back into the patient
- Monitoring and follow-up care
Once infused, CAR-T cells can recognize specific proteins on cancer cells and initiate a targeted immune attack.
For stomach cancer, most advanced CAR-T programs focus on targeting CLDN18.2, a protein commonly found on gastric cancer cells but rarely present in healthy tissues.
CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T therapy
CLDN18.2 has emerged as one of the most important targets for gastric cancer immunotherapy.
Research has shown that CLDN18.2 is highly expressed in:
- Gastric adenocarcinoma
- Gastroesophageal junction cancer
- Certain pancreatic cancers
- Selected gastrointestinal tumors
China has led global development of CLDN18.2 CAR-T therapies. Clinical studies have demonstrated encouraging results in patients with heavily pretreated gastric cancer who had exhausted standard treatment options.
Potential benefits include:
- Significant tumor shrinkage in some patients
- Durable responses in selected cases
- Personalized treatment approach
- Ability to target cancer cells with high specificity
- Potential activity against metastatic disease
Not all patients are eligible, and biomarker testing is required to determine CLDN18.2 expression before treatment.
Approved CAR-T therapy for gastric cancer in China
In June 2026, China approved the first CAR-T therapy for a solid tumor, marking a historic milestone in cancer treatment.
The therapy, Kailimei (Satricabtagene Autoleucel, CT041), is indicated for patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received prior treatments.
This approval represents:
- The world’s first approved CAR-T therapy for a solid tumor
- A major breakthrough in gastric cancer treatment
- Validation of CLDN18.2 as a therapeutic target
- Expanded access for international patients seeking innovative therapies
The approval was based on clinical studies demonstrating meaningful response rates and manageable safety profiles in carefully selected patients.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility is determined by a multidisciplinary team and typically includes evaluation of:
- Cancer diagnosis and pathology reports
- Disease stage and tumor burden
- Previous treatments received
- Overall health condition
- Organ function
- Performance status
- CLDN18.2 expression testing results
Patients who may be considered include:
- Recurrent gastric cancer
- Metastatic stomach cancer
- Advanced gastroesophageal junction cancer
- Patients who have failed standard therapies
- Patients seeking access to innovative cellular therapies
Each case requires an individualized review before acceptance into a treatment program.
Treatment journey in China
The treatment process for international patients generally includes:
Medical record review
A specialist team reviews pathology reports, imaging studies, treatment history, and laboratory results to determine eligibility.
Online consultation
Patients can discuss treatment options with CAR-T specialists through a video consultation before traveling.
Arrival and evaluation
Upon arrival in China, additional tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Imaging studies
- Pathology confirmation
- CLDN18.2 testing if needed
Cell collection
T cells are collected through leukapheresis and sent for manufacturing.
CAR-T manufacturing
The patient’s cells are engineered and expanded in a specialized facility. This process usually takes several weeks.
Preconditioning treatment
Lymphodepleting chemotherapy is administered to prepare the body for CAR-T cell infusion.
CAR-T infusion
The engineered cells are infused intravenously under close medical supervision.
Monitoring and recovery
Patients remain under observation for potential side effects and response assessment.
Potential side effects
Like all advanced cancer treatments, CAR-T therapy carries risks and requires specialized monitoring.
Potential side effects may include:
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Low blood counts
- Infections
- Neurological symptoms
- Temporary weakness
- Nausea
Experienced CAR-T centers have established protocols to identify and manage these complications promptly.
Most patients undergo intensive monitoring during the early post-infusion period.
Why choose China for CAR-T therapy
China has become one of the world’s most active centers for cellular immunotherapy research and clinical application.
Advantages include:
- Access to innovative CAR-T technologies
- Experience treating large numbers of CAR-T patients
- Availability of approved and investigational therapies
- International patient services
- Advanced manufacturing capabilities
- Multidisciplinary cancer care
- Competitive treatment costs compared with many Western countries
Many leading Chinese hospitals participate in cutting-edge clinical research and have extensive experience managing complex cancer cases.
Services for international patients
Our medical tourism team assists patients throughout the treatment journey, including:
- Medical record review
- Hospital matching
- Specialist consultations
- Treatment coordination
- Invitation letters for visa applications
- Interpretation services
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation arrangements
- Medical follow-up support
We work closely with leading CAR-T centers in China to help international patients access advanced treatment options safely and efficiently.
Contact us
If you or a loved one has advanced stomach cancer and would like to explore CAR-T cell therapy in China, contact us for a free medical record review.
Our team can help determine whether CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T therapy may be an option and provide guidance on treatment availability, eligibility requirements, estimated timelines, and costs.
